ROBERT STEPHEN (STEVE) LUTES

June 26, 1941 - January 26, 2023 Pigeon Forge, TN ? Robert Stephen (Steve) Lutes, age 81, of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at home on January 26th, 2023 of Parkinson's Disease. Steve was born in Dayton, Ohio on June 26th, 1941, to the late Robert Lutes and Lula Mae Traynor. He spent his childhood on the farm, which he recalled fondly.

As a young adult, Steve joined and proudly served the United States military, as a Staff Sergeant in the Armed Forces. This experience was evident throughout his life, as he showed the upmost respect and humility for other USA servicemen and servicewomen. He would always go out of his way to shake a hand and say "thank you for your service" to any uniformed military member that he encountered. Following discharge from the Army, Steve attended the University of Kentucky and then joined his father in the family business of managing the Ranch Motel in Lexington, KY. He later excelled as an insurance agent where he was frequently recognized for his accomplishments. He was an avid University of Kentucky football fan and had season tickets to both UK football and basketball games for decades.

His children will cherish their memories; candied apples, peanut butter fudge and swimming in the freezing Little Pigeon River while vacationing in Gatlinburg; spontaneous Sunday afternoon drives around town that invariably ended with ice cream cones, and funny one-liners like "Hang on to your wigs and false teeth" as he took a perilous and sudden turn in his treasured Lincoln Continental Black Label sedan. He was a devoted deacon at Trinity Baptist Church in the 60's and 70's, and loved the pastor and the people of that very special community of faith.

Steve and his loving wife Sherry, married in 1991 and resided in Danville, KY for many years before relocating to Pigeon Forge, TN in 2003. They both spent countless hours volunteering for the city's Department of Tourism. Steve loved the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, so one of his favorite volunteering activities was being the "sweep" on guided hikes, assisting those trailing behind so that they could complete the rigorous hikes. He also loved to golf and it didn't seem to matter much if he bogeyed or birdied, as long as he was on the course enjoying the companionship and laughter of his friends. He was quick-witted with a knack for speedy and hilarious comebacks that made family and friends love to be around him. Animals were always important to Steve and his beloved dog Jake brought him much comfort, joy, companionship, loyalty, laughter, licks and love over the last six months of his life. They were connected in mind and spirit, and he loved Jake like no other pet that he ever owned.

Steve is survived by his wife, Sherry Elkin Lutes (Pigeon Forge, TN); his sister, Phyllis Warren (Lexington, KY); his son, Jeffrey Stephen Lutes (Austin, TX); his daughter Paige Lynne Hoogerheide (Lexington, KY); and his grandchildren, Tanner Hoogerheide (Lexington, KY), and Niko, Trei, and Jole' Lutes-Stein (Austin, TX).

A graveside service will be held May 13th, 2023, 2:00pm at Springhill Cemetery, 529 Greenville Street, Harrodsburg, KY 40330. Memorial donations can be made to Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice, 7051 Strawberry Plains Pike, Knoxville, TN 37914.